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I. THE JUDGMENT DENOUNCER.

1. Great desolation as to their outward state (ver 10, and former part of ver. 11).

2. Utter destruction, final ruin. "He that made them will not have mercy on them." It is the highest severity, where no Saviour is to be found, where "judgment" is executed "without mercy." And this is amplified by the consideration —

(1) Partly of the inflicter of the judgment. "He that made them," They were not to fall into the hands merely of men like themselves, their fellow creatures; but "into the hands of the living God."(2) Partly of kindness formerly received from Him. "He that made them; He that formed them"; that is, He that created them, gave them their being, or He that not only made them as His creatures, but formed them to be His servants, formed them into a State and into a Church, and so had given them their being, not only a natural one, but a civil and ecclesiastical one: He that had formerly done so much for them, vouchsafed them such choice mercies, yet now would renounce all kindness to them.

II. THE CAUSE OF THE JUDGMENT TO BE INFLICTED. "It is a people of no understanding," a sottish, ignorant people, such as take no notice of anything, know not God, observe not His works, understand not their duty. Other sins, no doubt, they were chargeable with; but the Lord takes notice especially of their ignorance, and it is for that they are here threatened. Hence we take notice, that, —

1. Ignorance of God, His truths or ways, is no security against His judgments (Jeremiah 10:25).

2. The knowledge of the will and ways of God is necessary for them that expect to find favour with God. They that desire God would save them, must labour to know Him.

(E. Veal, B. D.)

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KJV: When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

WEB: When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for they are a people of no understanding. Therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them, and he who formed them will show them no favor.